Everything you need to know about Australia’s broadband network
From the basics to the benefits, we answer the who, what, when, and why questions about the nbn™ network.
While many Australians may have heard about the nbn™ network, a common question is – what exactly is it?
What is the nbn™ network?
The short answer is: nbn is the team behind the nbn™ network rollout. They are responsible for providing wholesale services to phone companies and internet service providers who offer nbn™ plans for homes and businesses.
The nbn™ network is an upgrade to Australia’s existing phone and internet infrastructure and will affect the vast majority of people across Australia as it impacts our landline phone and internet services.
As a wholesaler, nbn does not sell direct to the public. That means, to move your services over to the nbn™ network (both home and business services), you will need to contact a phone or internet provider and choose a new plan that suits your needs directly with them.
Who will get it?
The nbn™ network is being rolled out progressively across the country with an aim to connect eight million homes and businesses by 2020.
One of nbn's goals is to provide access to all the benefits of fast and reliable internet services so that Australians have the same basic service, no matter where they live - for internet banking, streaming movies and music, online shopping or keeping in touch with family and friends.
Why do we need it?
Simply put, Australia’s existing copper network was not designed for the demands of the 21st century.
It was struggling to keep pace with a fast-changing digital landscape and a subsequent increase in demand for fast and reliable connectivity. The nbn™ network is designed to provide access to fast and reliable landline phone and internet services no matter where you live.
Access to the nbn™ network presents opportunities in education, business, entertainment, health care and sociability, giving everyone the potential to be more productive, more creative, more efficient and more connected for decades to come.
How does it work?
The nbn™ network uses a range of broadband technologies including new fibre-optic cable, existing copper lines, fixed wireless and satellite to deliver access to fast and reliable internet to all Australian homes and businesses.
Read more about all our available technologies here.
When is it happening?
More than one million homes and businesses can now order fast broadband services over the nbn™ network – about one in ten homes. The network is being rolled out progressively across Australia and is expected to be completed by 2020.
What do I need to do?
The nbn™ network rollout affects almost all of us. The vast majority of people need to act, even those who just have a landline phone.
To ensure your affected phone and internet services continue working, you need to move them to the nbn™ network before they’re switched off.* You aren’t automatically connected to the nbn™ network.
To connect, you need to contact your preferred phone or internet provider and order a service over the nbn™ network.
To know more about the nbn™ network, check out our handy nbn™ 101 guide here.
* Services provided over the nbn™ network will be replacing phone and internet services provided over most of the existing landline networks, including copper and the majority of HFC networks within the fixed line footprint. Services provided over existing fibre networks (including in-building, health and education networks) and some special and business services may not be affected. To find out if your services will be affected, please contact your current phone or internet provider. For more information, visit www.nbn.com.au/switchoff or call 1800 687 626.
** Your experience including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ network depends on the technology over which services are delivered to your premises and some factors outside our control like your equipment quality, software, broadband plans and how your service provider designs its network.